String-tensioning device for musical instruments



Jan 24, 1939. E w. HOYT 2,144,974

STRING"TENSIONING DEVICE FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed Aug. 25, 1957 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 24, 1939 UNHTED STATES PATENT OFFICE Ernest W. Hoyt, Kalispcll, Mont.

Application August 23,

1 Claim.

This invention relates to string-tensioning devices for musical instruments, and its general object is to provide a device of that character, which is primarily designed for use on the strings of a violin, to bring about minute or very fine adjustment thereof and which cannot possibly be obtained by the usual adjustment pegs.

A further object is to provide a string-tensioning device for violins, that can be instantly apw plied in position for use, does not require supporting or securing brackets and the like therefor, and can be actuated in an easy and expeditious manner, even while sounding the strings with the bow.

Another object is to provide a string-tensioning device that can be used on gut, metal or wound strings with equal efiiciency, and the device is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and extremely efficient in operation, use and service.

This invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the ac- 25 companying drawing and specifically pointed out in the appended claim.

In describing the invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawing wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Figure l is a fragmentary side elevation of a violin illustrating my device applied thereto.

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 3-3, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a detailed perspective view of the string receiving block of my device.

Figure 5 is a detailed view of the thumb screw.

Referring to the drawing in detail, it will be noted that I have illustrated my tensioning device as being applied to a violin, and the reference numeral I indicates the scroll thereof and 2 the peg box through the side walls of which are extended the pegs 3, having wound thereon the ends of the strings 4, the latter being arranged in the usual manner, as clearly shown in Figure 2.

My device is best shown in Figures 4 and 5 and includes a relatively flat block 5 of rectangular configuration to provide flat faces and the block has a threaded bore 6 extending therethrough, as well as a groove 1 extending horizontally and longitudinally through the face 8, for a purpose which will be presently described.

1937, Serial No. 160,513

Cooperating with the block 5 is a thumb screw which includes a threaded shank 9 having a serrated head on one end thereof and its opposite end is tapered to terminate into a penetrating point II.

It will be obvious from the drawing, that the thumb screw has its shank 9 threadedly mounted in the bore 6, and in the use of my device, it is placed in the peg box in a manner whereby either the A or D string extends through the groove 1 of the block. However, the A string is shown as being disposed in the groove, with the face of the block opposed to the grooved face arranged against the adjacent wall of the peg box, and with the penetrating point engaged with the bottom of the box, as best shown in Figure 3, with the result it will be seen that the device is held in position for use, merely by the side wall of the peg box, the thumb screw and the string, and against accidental removal or displacement. It will be further obvious that the string is adjusted merely by rotating the thumb screw which will raise or lower the block, due to the fact that the latter is guided by the side wall of the peg box and that the raising and lowering of the block will tension the string to bring about a minute or fine adjustment thereof.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of the invention will be readily apparent.

It is to be understood that changes may be made in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claim.

What I claim is:

A tuning device for the strings of the peg box type musical instrument and comprising a grooved block provided with a threaded bore and having fiat faces with one of the faces engaged with the wall of the peg box for guiding the block, the groove of the block adapted to receive 7 a string for the block to support and carry the same, a thumb screw threaded through the bore of the block to support and hold the block against said wall and for raising and lowering the block to minutely vary the tension of the string, a serrated head for the upper end of the thumb screw, and penetrating means for the lower end thereof and engaged with the bottom of the peg box for cooperation with the string to secure the device in position for use.

ERNEST W. HOYT. 

